Open Primaries

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

New York: Incumbency power in Monroe Co.

Little Senate turnover foreseenFew willing to fight power of incumbency in GOP-ruled houseJoseph Spector Democrat and Chronicle (May 15, 2006) — Got a half-million dollars and want to spend six months as an underdog against a well-connected state senator with deep pockets and popularity?Monroe County Democrats may want to talk to you.County Democrats held their nominating convention last week and had no candidates to run in November for the four state Senate seats that represent Monroe County.While party officials said they will have candidates soon, experts and political leaders say the inability to readily find challengers underscores a fundamental problem in New York state: the power of incumbency and a political process that discourages competitive elections.more